Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound shell pasta
- 2 cans (20 ounces) tomato soup
- 3 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or your choice), divided
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Pasta water (reserved from cooking the shells)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it’s browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
3. Cook the Pasta: While the beef is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the shell pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about a cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
4. Prepare the Casserole Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ground beef, cooked pasta, tomato soup, and 2 cups of shredded cheese. Mix everything together until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the mixture seems too thick, add a bit of reserved pasta water to achieve your desired consistency.
5. Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it evenly in the dish.
6. Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese over the top of the casserole, covering it evenly.
7. Bake the Casserole: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
8. Uncover and Bake: After 20 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
9. Serve and Enjoy: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Scoop out generous portions onto plates and enjoy your delicious and comforting cheeseburger casserole!
